Guide for flush ball lift rods



Mmh27, 1951 B, L, MC IL 2,546,766

GUIDE FOR FLUSH BALL LIFT RODS Filed March 21, 1947 /2 I g l a O 4 I i /0 E 9 I v 6 Z? ,4 INVENTOR. WW r 6 B. lL/Va. Williams B 7 lllllllmlillllllllllll W Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUIDE F OR FLUSH BALL LIFT RODS Bron z el l L. McWilliams, Barbourville, Ky.

Application March 21, 1947, Serial No. 736,205

3 Claims. (Cl. 4-57) This invention relates to an adjustable guide for flush ball lift rods.

In the conventional type of water closet flush tank the lift rod guide is attached to the overflow pipe and depends largely upon the overflow pipe being disposed in a true perpendicular plane to properly aline the lift rod to insure proper seating of the flush ball. As the overflow pipe is rarely disposed in a true perpendicular plane the guide is disposed in non-alinement with the axis of the ball seat and [causes improper seating of the flush ball.

It is an object of the invention to provide a guide that irrespective of the position of the overflow pipe, the guide may be readily adjusted to truly aline the lift rod with the axis of the ball seat to insure proper seating of the flush ball.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a guide which will insure maximum guidance for the lift rod with a minimum of bearing surface between the rod and guide so the rod is freely movable.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a device of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, efficient and reliable in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the [course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Fig. l is a side elevation view of the guide showing its association with the overflow pipe and flush ball lift rod,

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the guide,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide, and,

Fig. 4 is a front view of the guide.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown the numeral 5 denotes a water .closet flush tank having the usual overflow pipe 6 and discharge opening I normally closed by a flushball 8 connected to the lower end of a lift rod 9.

Referring more particularly to my invention, a split clamp l0 embraces the overflow pipe 6 and is secured thereon in its adjusted position by a thumb screw passing through the apertured ears I2, one of which is threaded for engagement with the threads of the screw. Formed integral with and projecting from the clamp is a bifurcated arm l3 for supporting guide brackets l4 and I5. The brackets are made from metal strips disposed in vertical alinement with their abutting ends I6 and Il bent'at right angles and adjustably fitted in the bifurcation of the arm l3. A set screw l8 passes through the arms i3 and longitudinal slots IS in the ends I 6 and l! and is threaded in a boss 20 formed integral with the arm. The brackets l4 and I5 are thus freely adjustable in a horizontal plane and independently of each other. The free end of bracket I5 is bent at right angles to provide an apertured bearing lug 2| for the lift rod 9 attached to the flush ball 8 adapted to seat in the discharge opening I. An angular bearing lug 22 is adjustably mounted on the free end of bracket M to receive and guide the upper end of the lift rod. The angular lug 22 is provided with apertures 23, one to receive the lift rod and the other for passage of a bolt 25 which extends through the longitudinal slot 26'of bracket M to adjustably secure the bearing lug 22 in its adjusted position. A flanged shim 2'! is mounted on the bolt 25 with its flanges overhanging the marginal edges of the lug and bracket to secure the lug from turning on the bolt.

In use, the clamp it is attached to the overflow pipe 6 of the flush tank 5 and is secured in its adjusted position by the thumb screw H. As the brackets l4 and I5 are independently adjustable, the bearing lugs 2| and 22 may be positioned in true vertical alinement with the axis of the discharge opening I, irrespective of the position of the overflow pipe to which the clamp is attached. Upon loosening the screw I8 the brackets may be moved laterally towards or from the overflow pipe and may also be swung in a horizontal plane to secure a perfect alinement of the bearing lugs which support the lift rod 9 of the ball valve 8 and guide it in its movement. By having the bearing lug 22 adjustably mounted on the bracket I4 the distance between the bearing lugs 2| and 22 may be increased or de- 3 the spirit of the invention or scope of the sub joined claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim: 1. The combination with the lift rod of a flush ball and overflow pipe of a water closet tank, of a guide comprising a clamp for attachment to the overflow pipe having a laterally extending arm; a pair of brackets each having a straight body portion with an angular attaching lug at one end and an aiientured bearing lug at its other end extending in opposite directions, said brackets having their body portions disposed in ver tical alinement with the attaching lugs in confronting relation and the bearing lugs spaced vertical alinement to receive the lift rod and means pivotally and slidably connecting the at- -taching lugs of said brackets to the of said clamp to permit independent radial and angular adjustment of said brackets.

2. A device of the character described in claim 1 wherein the bearing lug of one ;of said brackets is provided with a slot and bolt connection with the adjacent end of one of said vertical body 4 portions whereby the said mg mounted on the body portion for longitudinal adjustment to- Wa-rdsand from the "bearing =1-ug of' the other bracket. v

' 3'. The combination with the lift rod of a flush ball and overflow pipe of a ater closet tank, f a guide compri ing a clamp for at h en to the overflow pipe having a laterally extend-"- ing arm, a pair of brackets each having a straight body portion with an angular attaching lug at one end and an apertured bearing lug at its other end extending in opposite directions, said brackets having their body portions disposed in vertical alinement with the attaching lugs in confronting relation and the bearin lugs in spaced vertical alinement to receive the lift god'ang a pivpt bolt extending through {the arm of saidcl'amp and longitudinal slots in the attaphing lugs of said brackets for pivotally and slidably connecting the attaching lugs to the arm to permit radial and angular adjustment 9 sa d ac BRONZELL L. MCWILLIAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenpes are of record in the i e 9.? this aten UNITED STATE RAfI-TEN'Ifi 

